Rüdenhausen Castle

Rüdenhausen Castle (also known as the Old Castle) is a former aristocratic residence in the Lower Franconian municipality of Rüdenhausen in the district of Kitzingen. It is still inhabited by the von Castell-Rüdenhausen family. Historically, there were three castle complexes in the village, with the so-called Veste near the church and the House in the Lake being abandoned in the late Middle Ages.

The history of the castle in Rüdenhausen begins in 1258. At that time, the possessions of the Counts of Castell were enumerated, including a castle in Rüdenhausen. In 1265, the county was divided. From then on, the village and the castle were given as fiefs to changing owners. Initially, the Lords of Seckendorff zu Rödelsee received the castle, before the Fuchs von Dornheim resided there. They were followed by the Lords of Gnodstadt. From 1533, the property returned to the hands of the Counts of Castell. They had the complex expanded in 1573. From 1597, the castle became the ancestral seat of the Castell-Rüdenhausen line. The new responsibilities were also reflected in further alterations. One such alteration is documented in 1613. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was damaged several times, but it was never completely destroyed. Under Johann Friedrich zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, reconstruction was accelerated. The extensive castle garden received a fountain, and the complex was expanded. At the beginning of the 19th century, a smaller, new castle was built on parts of the park, but it was demolished again in 1973. In 1909, extensive renovations were carried out on the old building fabric. The castle was renovated in 2012. It is still inhabited by the (Neu-)Castell-Rüdenhausen line. The complex is classified as a listed building, and the subterranean remains of earlier structures are noted as archaeological monuments.